YOUR RIGHT AS A DEFENDENT

You have the right to retain a lawyer, to present evidence and examine witnesses, to request not less than fourteen (14) days prior to the hearing, a witness list from the city and to subpoena witnesses, including the officer who issued the citation, by applying in person to court not later than the regular court session next preceding the date of hearing.

HEARING PROCEDURE

The contested hearing will be heard by the court without a jury. The city must prove your guilt by a preponderance of the evidence and may rely just on the officer's report. If the court finds you guilty, you may be required to pay a monetary penalty and additional court costs. You may appeal the courts' decision that you are guilty.

The Presiding Judge will speak with parties concerning a case in OPEN COURT ONLY. Please do not call the Judge to discuss your case.

The Municipal Court Chamber is upstairs at City Hall. Proceedings, unless otherwise specified, are open to the public. Prisoners may not talk to or have contact with those that are watching the proceedings.

FAILURE TO APPEAR

Failure to appear will result in an additional $52.00 penalty and the Department of Licensing will suspend your driving privileges within thirty days of their notification. Your driving privileges will not be reinstated until all penalties and court costs have been paid. You will also forfeit your rights for another hearing on this matter.

INFRACTION MITIGATION HEARINGS

If you have requested a mitigation hearing, you are admitting that you did commit the infraction charged, but you want to explain the circumstances. You cannot argue that you did not commit the infraction. Mitigation hearings are informal. There is no jury. You may bring a lawyer and ask witnesses to attend, but they cannot be subpoenaed. There is no appeal from the court's determination. If you fail to appear, your driver's license will be suspended until you have paid all penalties.

PAYMENT OF FEES AND FINES

Immediately after the hearing, you MUST PAY any penalty set. If you do not, a failure to pay penalty of $52.00 will be added to the amount shown and a hold placed on your license. The minimum bail schedule for an infraction is $101.00

Unpaid fines are sometimes turned over to a collection agency (Allied Credit 1-800-456-8838) and they charge an additional 50% over and above the court fine, plus interest. Interest on a fine of $50 or $500 adds up quickly.

If you have problems paying a fine, discuss it with the judge at the time of sentencing.

You may choose to cancel your hearing if you pay your ticket, IN FULL 24 HOURS PRIOR to your court date.

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